7 Ways to Create Resolutions and Habits for the Year

So how are your New Year Resolutions going? We’re three weeks in to the year and no doubt, like many other people you’ve started the year with good intentions.

Perhaps you’re going for a dry January and giving up alcohol or you want to kick start your health by joining the gym, giving up smoking or eating more healthily or even starting a diet. Are you always resolving to do the same thing but somehow never make it stick?

You’re certainly not alone. Here are a few quick tips to get you back on track and make your new habits (resolutions) stick.

Take your time: New habits don’t happen overnight so be patient. Give yourself at least 30-60 days for a new way of working or being to become a habit.

Be positive: Resolutions are really nothing more than replacing bad habits with good habits. However, resolutions are often seen as ‘giving up’ something. Change your perspective and turn it around to think about what you’re gaining.

Be specific: The clearer and more specific you are about what you want the more likely you are to achieve it.

Write it down: Any resolution or goal becomes more real when you write it down. You’ve got it out of your head where it’s just a thought or idea and put it on paper.

Create a plan: Once you’ve decided what it is you want to achieve, create a plan to make it happen. How much time is involved? What support do you need? How can you make your new habit part of your daily routine?

Get accountable: Tell family, friends, a colleague what you want and what you need from them. They can help you to stay focused and on track when your resolve starts to waver.

One step at a time: Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Start small and build on your success.

Need help with your resolutions and habits for the year – take a look at the 91-Day Challenge to change your habits or check out my blog posts for additional tips to creating and achieving your ‘resolutions’.